Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by James Judd
Statue of Ctirad and Šárka Photo: Michal Kmínek, CC3.0
Má Vlast (My Fatherland) by Bedřich Smetana is cycle of six symphonic poems that describe the sights and sounds of Smetana’s native Bohemia along with famous military victories in Czech history.
In the third movement, Smetana turns to legend. 'Šárka' is the bloody tale of an Amazon maiden who massacres the men who betrayed her. She seduces her unfaithful lover, Ctirad, and lulls his soldiers to sleep and then snarls with fierce pride as she calls her troops to avenge her shame.
Other works in the cycle:
Recorded by RNZ Concert, Auckland Town Hall, 12 August 2021
Engineer: Rangi Powick; Producer: Tim Dodd
